Post #5

Prompt: What can older people learn from your generation? 

Oftentimes, I see criticisms of newer technology from older generations about the internet. The older generation often says that newer technology fills the void where moments like self-reflection and “real thinking” come from, something important in human life while other generations don’t seem to mind, where I sometimes see a generational difference. While it may be true that newer technology has its downsides, there is still much more that it offers. I’d even go as far as saying the pros outweigh the cons. 

For the longest time, my grandma couldn’t figure out how to use this app called WeChat, where we could call each other by using only wifi. For some reason, she was adamant on using the old telephone. The old telephone miraculously decided that the only way it could be called was through my father’s phone, something that I still haven’t been able to figure out. Because of this, my brother and I couldn’t usually call our grandma because my dad would come home right at bedtime. Even though if she used WeChat, she would be two clicks away from calling, she still chose the more complicated option.

Technology is supposed to benefit us and make our lives easier than before. I know when I get obsessed with something, I can spend hours looking at content catered towards it. I’ll use chess as an example. There are countless channels that each have their own unique form of content and hours of videos on tactics and methods to improve your game. If you’re looking for information, you’ll never find an end to it because there is so much on the internet. Technology shouldn’t be construed as a bad thing and usually benefits the user.

I think that the older generation’s dislike of newer technology comes less from the actual cons, but more of apprehension to the new and unknown. This happens all throughout history though. A few hundred years ago, reading novels was thought to lead people astray and ruin them for real life. Nowadays, reading is one of the most mindful exercises there is and even it was met with skepticism. It’s crucial to find the right spot between fully embracing technology, which can lead to bad things, and completely rejecting it. 

I’ve noticed that many people, myself included, are often averse to change. This is exactly why even the smallest changes from what you’re used to can seem like a daunting task and it’s especially true when you’ve spent your entire life using that technology. Though it’s much easier to say this than to do it, navigating technology and using it to the maximum potential lies in overcoming the fear of change, something that every generation has trouble with.

When it’s time for even newer technology to emerge, we need to remember that technology is not good or bad and that it’s a tool. The impact of that technology depends solely on how we use it. By embracing that change and being open to something different, we can bring generations closer by closing that technological difference. That way, all of us can use the amazing opportunities that technology brings us to the fullest.